It’s been a while since my last post and it has taken me a long time to write this because I wanted it to be important to me. I had some previous ideas but they didn't seem right. And then I actual wrote a completely different post that is now extinct. Then this idea popped into my head. Keeping Afloat. If you've read my monthly posts in "Keeping Up with ET", keeping afloat is a pretty accurate term to describe what I've been doing the past couple of months.
But today's post is not about golf at all. It's about the music that keeps me afloat.
I'm going to start off by saying that music itself is pretty powerful in general. It makes you feel and experience things that words by themselves cannot. It's able to cross borders and cultures like no other. It has the power to unite. All that being said, lyrics in music play a huge role in how a song is perceived. I personally enjoy a lot of mainstream music, but it is difficult to find music that doesn't make you think twice about what you're subjecting yourself to when you really listen to what's being sung. I've literally loved an entire song and then I hear that one line that makes me stop listening to it. That's how powerful lyrics are. But it's the incredible combination of instrumentals, harmonies, melodies and lyrics that really does it for me when it comes to music that keeps me afloat.
In the Bible, the book of Psalms is what I like to call the "music book". I really wish I could hear what tunes and melodies David and some of the other writers of the Psalms sang these verses to because I know it must have been glorious! And that's where I have to thank Christian music from the bottom of heart. Taking the Bible, it's lessons and meanings, and turning them into music is amazing. It’s hard to explain without using examples so I'm going to share with you some of the songs that I go to when I need God to keep me afloat.
1. Fierce - Jesus Culture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II1JKBuz-AY)
This song gets me every time. Knowing how powerful God's love is makes you feel safe. His love meets you wherever you are at in life and it won't stop until it engulfs you! How incredible is that!
Like a tidal wave, crashing over me.
Rushing into meet me here, Your love is fierce.
Like a hurricane, that I can't explain.
Tearing through the atmosphere, Your love is fierce.
2. O'Lord - Lauren Daigle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxr5pckM8i4)
This song is about standing up for what you believe in and knowing that God will come through. As a Christian, I constantly feel like I'm battling a spiritual battle within myself and with the world around me. But I know that I can't waver no matter how easy it is to fall because there is always hope even in the darkest hour of your life.
No matter what until this race is won.
I will stand my ground, where hope can be found.
I will stand my ground, where hope can be found.
O'Lord, O'Lord, I know You hear my cry.
Your love is lifting me above all the lies.
No matter what I face, I know this in time.
You take all that is wrong and make it right.
You take all that is wrong and make it right.
3. Wonder - Hillsong United (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haQ1earucJ0)
This song is about clarity! Having the scales removed from your heart, mind and spirit and being able to live life the way God intended is a powerful and euphoric way to experience the world! Every time I listen to this song, I remember how living in Christ is about living in absolute wonder -- being amazed by His power, glory, and grace!
I see the world in light.
I see the world in wonder.
I see the world in life.
Bursting in living colour.
I see the world Your way.
And I'm walking in the light.
4. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - Hillsong United (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2PNTq_-mZs)
How much do you trust God? That's what this song is all about. We need to trust Him enough so that when He pushes us out to face the tsunamis and typhoons of life, we know that He will lift us above the waves even if we feel completely terrified or overwhelmed. Your faith won't only just be kept afloat, it will be made stronger.
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me.
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander.
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour.
---
This is by no means a complete list of music that keeps me afloat, but these are songs that have given me an unreal connection to God that I cannot explain. There have been times when I feel like I'm having an out of body experience -- I can see the moments in my life where God let me walk upon the waters or had me filled with wonder or helped me stand my ground or rushed in to engulf me with his love. These moments fill me with absolute euphoria where I'm brought to tears, have the biggest smile on the planet or feel a sense of peace that could calm any and all anxiety.
If you listen to these songs, believe the lyrics, and sing them as if they were your own, God will hear you. He heard David. And He will give you what you need. I wish for everyone to experience what I have. There is nothing else that compares to God filling every crevice of your body. Go out. Find your "Keeping Afloat" playlist and immerse yourself in God's gift He gave to us so we could be even more connected to Him.
G.O.L.F.
But today's post is not about golf at all. It's about the music that keeps me afloat.
I'm going to start off by saying that music itself is pretty powerful in general. It makes you feel and experience things that words by themselves cannot. It's able to cross borders and cultures like no other. It has the power to unite. All that being said, lyrics in music play a huge role in how a song is perceived. I personally enjoy a lot of mainstream music, but it is difficult to find music that doesn't make you think twice about what you're subjecting yourself to when you really listen to what's being sung. I've literally loved an entire song and then I hear that one line that makes me stop listening to it. That's how powerful lyrics are. But it's the incredible combination of instrumentals, harmonies, melodies and lyrics that really does it for me when it comes to music that keeps me afloat.
In the Bible, the book of Psalms is what I like to call the "music book". I really wish I could hear what tunes and melodies David and some of the other writers of the Psalms sang these verses to because I know it must have been glorious! And that's where I have to thank Christian music from the bottom of heart. Taking the Bible, it's lessons and meanings, and turning them into music is amazing. It’s hard to explain without using examples so I'm going to share with you some of the songs that I go to when I need God to keep me afloat.
1. Fierce - Jesus Culture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II1JKBuz-AY)
This song gets me every time. Knowing how powerful God's love is makes you feel safe. His love meets you wherever you are at in life and it won't stop until it engulfs you! How incredible is that!
Like a tidal wave, crashing over me.
Rushing into meet me here, Your love is fierce.
Like a hurricane, that I can't explain.
Tearing through the atmosphere, Your love is fierce.
2. O'Lord - Lauren Daigle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxr5pckM8i4)
This song is about standing up for what you believe in and knowing that God will come through. As a Christian, I constantly feel like I'm battling a spiritual battle within myself and with the world around me. But I know that I can't waver no matter how easy it is to fall because there is always hope even in the darkest hour of your life.
No matter what until this race is won.
I will stand my ground, where hope can be found.
I will stand my ground, where hope can be found.
O'Lord, O'Lord, I know You hear my cry.
Your love is lifting me above all the lies.
No matter what I face, I know this in time.
You take all that is wrong and make it right.
You take all that is wrong and make it right.
3. Wonder - Hillsong United (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haQ1earucJ0)
This song is about clarity! Having the scales removed from your heart, mind and spirit and being able to live life the way God intended is a powerful and euphoric way to experience the world! Every time I listen to this song, I remember how living in Christ is about living in absolute wonder -- being amazed by His power, glory, and grace!
I see the world in light.
I see the world in wonder.
I see the world in life.
Bursting in living colour.
I see the world Your way.
And I'm walking in the light.
4. Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - Hillsong United (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2PNTq_-mZs)
How much do you trust God? That's what this song is all about. We need to trust Him enough so that when He pushes us out to face the tsunamis and typhoons of life, we know that He will lift us above the waves even if we feel completely terrified or overwhelmed. Your faith won't only just be kept afloat, it will be made stronger.
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me.
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander.
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour.
---
This is by no means a complete list of music that keeps me afloat, but these are songs that have given me an unreal connection to God that I cannot explain. There have been times when I feel like I'm having an out of body experience -- I can see the moments in my life where God let me walk upon the waters or had me filled with wonder or helped me stand my ground or rushed in to engulf me with his love. These moments fill me with absolute euphoria where I'm brought to tears, have the biggest smile on the planet or feel a sense of peace that could calm any and all anxiety.
If you listen to these songs, believe the lyrics, and sing them as if they were your own, God will hear you. He heard David. And He will give you what you need. I wish for everyone to experience what I have. There is nothing else that compares to God filling every crevice of your body. Go out. Find your "Keeping Afloat" playlist and immerse yourself in God's gift He gave to us so we could be even more connected to Him.
G.O.L.F.